(Radio Iowa) — Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro says it’s time to “disarm hate” and prioritize federal investigations of “white supremacist terrorism.” Castro released his plan this (Friday) morning, then spoke at The Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. Someone in the crowd asked Castro why he wasn’t in El Paso with former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke.

“I don’t think what they need is more presidential candidates over there. What they need is us expressing our support and what they really need is action,” Castro said, to applause and cheers from the crowd. “They need congress, they need Mitch McConnell to get the Senate back in session and to pass common sense gun safety legislation. That’s what we can do for the people of El Paso and Dayton and everywhere else.”

And Castro praised O’Rourke for what O’Rourke has done and said in his hometown of El Paso this past week. “Let me tell you that Congressman O’Rourke a wonderful job of expressing all the emotion that all of us have about what happened in El Paso,” Castro said. “And our hearts go out to the people of El Paso and to Congressman O’Rourke.” Castro says it’s important to bridge “cultural divides” in America to combat the rise of white nationalism. He also supports “strict background checks” for gun purchases. Castro will be among the 16 candidates who speak tomorrow (Saturday) at a gun policy forum in Des Moines.

DES MOINES, IA – This Saturday, August 10, Democrat U.S. Representative Cindy Axne will continue her 16-county tour for August with five stops in Warren, Madison, Dallas, Guthrie, and Polk counties. Rep. Axne will start the day by visiting farmers markets in Warren and Madison counties to speak with local producers. She will then tour the Adel Sweet Corn Festival, followed by a “Connect with Your Congresswoman” (CWYC) in Guthrie County. Rep. Axne will end the day visiting the Iowa State Fair and serving egg-on-a-stick to fairgoers.

Her campaign says “Axne’s CWYC town hall events provide an opportunity for constituents to meet the Congresswoman, ask questions regarding her work in Washington, and discuss concerns facing local communities.” Her schedule (locally) is as follows:

Madison County: Winterset Farmers Market, 112 John Wayne Drive, from 10:30-until 11:30-a.m.

Dallas County: Adel Sweet Corn Festival, 301 S 10th St, from Noon until 1-p.m.

Guthrie County: “Connect with Your Congresswoman,” at the Guthrie County ISU Extension & Outreach office, 212 State St, in Guthrie Center, from 1:45- until 2:30-p.m.

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — The president of a private college in southern Iowa intends to leave his post. Simpson College President Jay Simmons says he’ll continue his duties until his successor is selected. Simmons says he believes it’s time for new leadership as he enters his seventh year as president of the United Methodist Church-affiliated school. It is situated in Indianola. Simpson has been struggling financially, cutting 23 positions last year.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a handful of recent arrests. At around 12:30-a.m. today (Friday), 51-year old Douglas James Traufler, of Denison, was arrested near McClelland, following a report of a single-vehicle accident at 270th Street and Hickory Road. At the scene, a 2000 Ford Mustang was found in the south ditch. Trauffler was arrested on a felony charge of Conspiracy to manufacture and/or deliver Methamphetamine over 5 grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond on the paraphernalia charge was set at $300.

At around 11:45-p.m. Thursday, 26-year old Ashleigh M. Nelson, of Omaha, was arrested at Harrah’s Casino, for Public Intoxication. Her bond was set at $300. A little after 8-p.m., Thursday, Deputies in Pottawattamie County arrested 42-year old Troy Eugene Callander was arrested for Public Intoxication following incidents during and after a concert at Harrah’s Casino. At around 8:25-p.m. Thursday, 23-year old Leslie Alan Rahn, of Omaha, was arrested in Neola for Conspiracy with the intent to deliver, controlled substances (3.8 grams of marijuana, and 4 Xanax bars). An OWI/1st offense charges was pending the results of test samples submitted to the State DCI Crime Lab. Rahn’s arrest followed a report of a possibly impaired driver at the Neola Kum & Go Store. His vehicle was stopped by deputies before he could leave the parking lot.

And, at around 3:35-p.m. Thursday, 32-year old Sammy Hadeer Aburumuh, of Papillion, NE., who was in the Pott. County Jail, was served with a warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. Aburumuh remains on a hold at the jail for another agency.

(8-a.m. News) — Authorities in Creston were involved early this morning, in the pursuit of two 16-year old males who absconded Thursday from the Clarinda Academy. Creston Police say at around 5:15-a.m., Officers located a vehicle driving in the City Limits of Creston, that had been reported stolen out of Clarinda. The vehicle fled during a traffic stop and was engaged in a pursuit. The chased ended when the vehicle crashed near Afton. Two occupants of the vehicle were flown by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. No further details are being released at this time.

Creston Police said also, 24-year old Joshua Robert Willis, of Creston, was arrested at around 1:40-a.m. today (Friday), for Driving While Suspended. His bond was set at $300.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Fair has stepped up security following the recent mass shootings in Ohio and Texas. Des Moines police spokesman Paul Parizek says there are more uniformed officers and plainclothes officers on the grounds. One hundred more security cameras have been installed and are being monitored while the fair is in operation. The fair opened Thursday and closes Aug. 18.

Doug Phillips commands the state fair police, and he told station KCCI that fairgoers may see officers in places they’ve not been stationed in the past. Parizek says security was a major concern before the recent shootings, given the big crowds and the number of presidential candidates who visit. But he says the shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, have raised security awareness.

Parizek says the fair is very safe, but you can never be too careful.